Southern California Trip Itineraries

Art Deco LA

Destination(s): Beverly Hills

During the golden years of Art Deco, Los Angeles was growing at a tremendous rate and construction in the area was booming. Accordingly, L.A. is a treasure trove of Art Deco architecture, with buildings in the zigzag, classic moderne, and streamline moderne styles. Downtown and the Mid-Wilshire area are especially rich in this respect, although there is Art Deco everywhere throughout L.A.

Day one concentrates on downtown and shows the locations of many buildings from the LA Conservancy's Art Deco walking tour.

Day two lists additional famous Art Deco buildings all across Los Angeles.

O'Neill House

Southern California Edison Building

601 W. 5th Street

Los Angeles, 90014

Built in 1931, this Art Deco building was designed by James and David Allison. This building was once the home of the Southern California Edison company; now it provides office space for a variety of tenants. Notable features of the building include the two story lobby featuring over a dozen types of marble and a large mural by Hugo Ballin titled "The Apotheosis of Power." Other highlights include the stone friezes by Merrel Gage which are located above the octagonal entryway and depict light, energy, and hydroelectric power. The first three stories of this building are limestone, above that the edifice is clad with terra cotta tiles. The street-level shopping arcade was added in 1993.read more about Southern California Edison Building

Oviatt Building

Griffith Observatory

Garfield Building

403 W. 8th St

Los Angeles, 90014

This Art Deco building was completed in 1930. The architect was Claud Beelman; he is responsible also for a number of buildings from the same time period in downtown Los Angeles including the Eastern Columbia building. The building itself is a little plain but the lobby is quite formidable with black and purple marble with detailing in silver and gold leaf. The wrought iron entrance canopy and terrazzo sidewalk outside are also notable. The Garfield Building has been vacant since 1991.read more about Garfield Building

Pantages Theatre

Ninth and Broadway Building

850 S. Broadway

Los Angeles, 90014

Another Claud Beelman building, this one built in 1929. There is a lovely terra cotta grill above entryway and above the first story; the lobby is also worth checking out for the Art Deco detailing.read more about Ninth and Broadway Building

Egyptian Theater (The)

Eastern Columbia Building

This building was designed by Claud Beelman and opened as a retail center for the Eastern Outfitting Company and Columbia Outfitting Company in 1930. The funding for this structure came from Adolph Sieroty, a polish immigrant who started a clock store which quickly grew into these large furniture and clothing businesses. The department stores here closed in 1957, after this the building was used for office space for half a century. In 2004 the Kor Group acquired the place; they renovated it into the current condominium space. This Art Deco masterpiece sheathed with turquoise terra cotta tile is one of the more lovely buildings in the downtown area.read more about Eastern Columbia Building

Crossroads of the World

This 1936 tower and outdoor complex was designed by Robert V. Derrah. This place was built as an outdoor shopping mall, with a central Streamline Moderne tower and center piece with additional buildings in Frech Provicial, Tudor, and Spanish Colonial styles. Now the place is populated by small offices and no longer features many retail establishments. The central 55 foot town topped by a rotating model of the earth remains a popular and compelling landmark; the Art Deco cruise-boat accents remain stylish even today. Another building by Robert V. Derrah is the downtown Streamline Coca-Cola building.read more about Crossroads of the World

Hotel Shangri-La

A recent $30 million renovation has made this iconic Santa Monica hotel even more luxurious and impressive. Within walking distance of Santa Monica Pier, and a short drive from Rodeo drive, the Getty and Malibu, the Hotel Shangri-La is ideally located. Sweeping ocean views, a gourmet restaurant, an elevated pool and cabanas and a rooftop bar complete its "air of playful exclusivity."
read more about Hotel Shangri-La

Warner Grand Theater

The Queen Mary

Long rumored to be haunted, the Queen Mary is a 1019 foot boat that has come to symbolize the city of Long Beach, just south of Los Angeles. The Queen Mary is a retired luxury liner bigger than the Titanic, though less tragic. It has been permanently moored in Long Beach Harbor since 1967 and gone through multiple tourist incarnations. Visitors to the Queen Mary can join a guided tour or book a room in the lower decks which have been converted into a hotel. The Queen Mary is visible from most of Long Beach and is the city's preeminent attraction. Films such as "The Poseidon Adventure" have profited from the Queen Mary's beautiful Art Deco design. Nearby attractions like the Aquarium of the Pacific ensure that a day in Long Beach is not to be missed.
read more about The Queen Mary